For three years now, there has been one constant in the Missouri secondary (and, no, it hasn't been the pass defense ranking of the unit). Carl Gettis lit up fall camp with a breakout performance as a true freshman. He has started 37 of a possible 41 games since. But this August, Gettis has taken his game to a different level.

"I think Mr. Gettis is having his best camp since he's been here," said corners coach Cornell Ford. "He's always been very competitive and outgoing and one of the leaders, but this is by far his best summer."

Gettis had a strong spring and it has continued into the first three weeks of camp in August. He credits, in part, a more aggressive pass coverage scheme Missouri plans to employ this year.

"In the past maybe we've done some stuff where we played off, but this year, the key is we're getting to be a lot more aggressive," Gettis said. "We're gonna have a lot more opportunities this year and it's gonna be up to us to make those plays."

The proof, Gettis knows, will not come in practice. It will come only on Saturdays, when the Tigers will have a chance to prove the defense really is better. Three quarterbacks set school records for passing yards against the Missouri secondary this season. Pre-season talk won't stop that.

"Just being it's my senior year," Gettis said, "I want to do everything I can to help my teammates succeed and play at the highest level possible."